Nepal International Trade Fair 2014 has kicked off with an aim to promote the exportable products at Brikutimandap in the capital from Thursday.

Inaugurating the five-day trade fair, President Ram Baran Yadav said such fair would help boost Nepali exportable goods and also attract foreign investment.

"Nepal also should promote its products in the international market for the proportional profit," President Yadav said.

Yadav also encourged that the use of domestic production that would help generate employment and control the imports.

On the same occasion, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Suraj Vaidya said the fair would be vital for expanding markets for the Nepali goods as the fair has the participation of domestic and international entrepreneurs.

Commerce and Supplies Secretary Madhav Prasad Regmi said the government has taken initiatives for the promotion of exportable products identified by the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies.

FNCCI has organised the fair in coordination with the government with an aim to promote the exportable products identified by the government along with holding interaction with the international traders.

Around 350 stalls are featuring various goods from Nepal, India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan and Thailand.

The main attraction of the fair is a herb festival and special exhibition of precious jewelries. The herb festival is set at the premises of the International Trade Fair while NITF-Gems and Jewelry Show is being held at hotel Yak & Yeti Hotel.

The organisers expect around 1,500 foreign and 3,000 domestic entrepreneurs at the fair. Over 200,000 visitors are expected this year.